Synthetic Jungle by Frederic Malle: Notes, Longevity and Review

Synthetic Jungle by Frederic Malle is an Eau de Parfum from Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, launched in 2021 and composed by Anne Flipo. It is a modern green chypre that plays with the tension between natural and artificial: basil, galbanum, and white florals cut with a synthetic black currant note, all grounded in oakmoss and patchouli. Lush, electric, and a little strange, it smells like a jungle seen through a neon filter.

What does Synthetic Jungle by Frederic Malle smell like?

The opening is a shock of green: basil and galbanum hit sharp and herbal, like crushed leaves and stems, while black currant adds a tart, almost metallic fruitiness that feels deliberately synthetic. Then the white florals arrive, lily of the valley, hyacinth, and jasmine, high-pitched and dewy, softening the green bite without taming it. The base is classic chypre territory: oakmoss and patchouli bring an earthy, mossy depth that anchors the whole composition. The result is green in a way that feels both botanical and manufactured, familiar and slightly uncanny at once.

Notes breakdown

The full pyramid is:

• Top notes: galbanum, basil, black currant
• Heart notes: lily of the valley, hyacinth, jasmine, ylang-ylang, almond
• Base notes: oakmoss, patchouli

Galbanum and basil drive the green opening, the black currant is the synthetic twist, the white florals form the luminous heart, and oakmoss with patchouli gives the chypre backbone.

Longevity and sillage

Synthetic Jungle performs well for a green scent. Expect 7 to 9 hours, with the oakmoss and patchouli base holding the final stretch. Sillage is moderate to strong in the first few hours, the green notes project clearly, then it settles closer to the skin. Two to three sprays are plenty. It shines in spring and summer, when the green freshness feels natural, and the chypre base keeps it interesting as the day wears on.

Best for

Daytime, spring, and summer are its sweet spot: warm-weather days, outdoor events, and office wear for people who want something green but not boring. It is fully unisex and suits fragrance lovers who enjoy bold, distinctive scents with an artistic edge. If you like Frederic Malle's floral side, Portrait of a lady is the house's famous dark rose, while MUSIC FOR A WHILE offers a softer lavender-and-patchouli mood.

Frequently asked questions

Is Synthetic Jungle unisex? Yes. Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle makes it for women and men, and the green chypre structure wears well on anyone.

Why is it called "synthetic"? The name refers to the deliberate contrast between natural green notes and synthetic accords like the black currant, plus the slightly artificial, neon-green character of the whole scent.

Is it like a classic chypre? It has the classic chypre bones, oakmoss and patchouli, but the sharp greens and synthetic fruit make it feel modern rather than vintage.

Where can I read more Frederic Malle guides? The fragrance blog at DNA PERFUMO covers the house's editions with notes and honest reviews.